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downthetubes is undergoing some main site refurbishment...

Saturday, 7th October 2017

The downthetubes news blog was assimilated into our main site back in 2013, but we're glad you're here, because that's currently undergoing some under the bonnet refurb! So we've brought this blog back from the dead to tide us over.

We expect to be back up and running next week, just before the 2017 Lakes International Comic Art Festival - see you there?

Hop over to www.downthetubes.net for other British comics news, comic creating guides, interviews and much more!

Friday, 21 December 2012

Here's the info on the final issues of DC Thomson's Commando for 2012 - a total of 104 stories, tucked away. It's been a good year for the title, helped, we're told by our coverage and plugs on other sites such as Blimey! It's Another Blog about Comics and others. Time for a quick celebratory pint in the Mess!

Commando No 4559 - Nightmare Hunt

Story: Mac MacDonald Art: Keith Page Cover: Keith Page

Almost every night, Captain Neil Rigby would wake up in a cold sweat, a nightmare vision before his eyes. The face he saw, twisted with evil, was that of the Nazi officer who had ordered his men slaughtered as he lay powerless to help.

Every time he saw that maniacal, distorted face he swore vengeance, never thinking he would get the opportunity.

Then fate intervened and Neil began his… Nightmare Hunt!

Commando No 4560 - In The Line Of FireStory: Alan Hebden Art: Morahin Cover: Janek Matysiak

In the North African desert the fast-moving vehicles of the Allied armoured car reconnaissance units were always right in the thick of the action - constantly trading shots with the enemy.

Things got even more dangerous when two recce unit commanders - nursing a decades-old grudge between their families - began trying to outdo each other. Both were determined to be first… In The Line Of Fire...

Bert Johnson settled in the pilot's seat of the RAF fighter. He wasn't a pilot, but he revved the engine, taxied the plane to the runway, and took off.

As he handled the unfamiliar controls and circled to gain height he saw, coming straight at him, a crack squadron of the Luftwaffe.

Bert's thumbs fumbled for the gun-button on the joystick… Pilot or not, he would have to fight it out now.

“You can tell from Ken Barr's cover that this is an air story, yet the most important action takes place on the ground,” notes editor Calum Laird. “That action is the play between two men - one a frustrated would-be flier, the other a man who has flown, and fought, just too much. In the capable black and whites provided by Sostres, author Stainton paints a captivating tale that is in part all too believable, in part pure Commando invention.

“See if you can tell which bits are which."

Commando No 4562 - From Out Of The Sea…
Originally Commando No 825 (March 1974), re-issued as No 2099 (July 1987)
Story: Eric Hebden Art: Cam Kennedy Cover: Ian Kennedy

They came by night… sinister figures in black rubber suits, rising from the depths of the Norwegian harbour. And when they came, the Nazis shivered - for they knew that their precious ships, their vital war materials, were the target. How they dreaded those men from out of the sea…

“Commando stories come with all sorts of different settings but the thing that makes them Commandos is the aggro between the players in the drama,” says Calum. “This one, in the capable hands of Eric Hebden, has that hallmark. But, as with any story from the House of Hebden, things aren't as straightforward as they first appear.

“With dripping wet cover art by Ian Kennedy and strong, flowing lines inside from Cam Kennedy (no relation apart from the standard of their art) this story is a winner from Page One.

“You'll have guessed that I liked it.”

COMMANDO SUBSCRIPTION OFFER

downthetubes is
pleased to offer an exclusive discount on a subscription to DC Thomson's
Commando comic, entitling readers to save 50% by ordering using our special
discount code!

When prompted, enter this unique
code COMDT - then make your payment and your subscription will be up and
running. The price quoted offers a 50% discount
for three months at £12.50. That’s £68.50 off the shop price.

Please note, although the offer is not restricted to UK delivery
(you need a UK bank account), the price increases for overseas delivery
although the offer of 50% discount for three months is the same.

*Saving based on discounted Direct Debit price compared with shop price.
First quarterly payment discounted by 50% at £12.50 and £25 per quarter
thereafter. UK bank accounts only. One year discounted subscription rate
of £99.

Fancy a slice of the macabre alongside your Christmas turkey this year?

Just in time for the Yuletide festivities, SelfMadeHero - a quirky British independent publishing house
committed to producing ground-breaking work in the graphic novel medium - has announced their adaptations of H.P. Lovecraft’s
classic horror tales are now available for Kindle users!

An ideal gift
and the perfect introduction to their extensive catalogue, these digital editions are sure to give the Kindle owner in your life an icy chill this Christmas.

These e-versions are suitable for: Kindle Fire, Kindle Fire HD, Kindle for iPad and Kindle for Android and the titles available are:

A scientific expedition to Antarctica
unearths a shocking discovery that challenges humanity’s place in the
universe and threatens our very existence. This one's totally brilliant and highly recommended.

In which the eponymous hero obsesses over the life of
his 16th ancestor, an evil alchemist. Trying to emulate the wizard, Ward
not only revives old experiments but also resurrects the mage himself,
with terrifying consequences.

Seven of Lovecraft’s best known short stories
are brought to life by an array of creative talent, including Ian
Edginton, D’Israeli, Shane Oakley, Rob Davis, I.N.J. Culbard, David
Hine, Mark Stafford, Leah Moore, John Reppion, Leigh Gallagher, David
Hartman, Dan Lockwood and Alice Duke.

Just Dandy, the 1 hour long documentary on the 75 year history of The Dandy comic, will be screened on BBC1 Scotland at 9.00pm on New Year's
Eve. Hosted by comic actor Ford Kiernan from BBC Scotland's sitcom Still Game, the programme will include contributions from actors Brian Cox and Bill Patterson, comedian Frank Skinner, and animator Nick Park.

On your right is a promotional image, courtesy of BBC Scotland.

While Just Dandy is only being broadcast on BBC1 Scotland, and not being networked, it is worth remembering that the rest of the UK receives BBC1 Scotland on Sky
Channel 951, FreeSat Channel 960 and Virgin Media Channel 862 and therefore can watch it at the same time as Scotland. It will of course be available to the whole ofthe UKfor 7 days on BBC iPlayer once it has been broadcast.

Thursday, 20 December 2012

For those who don't already know, HORIZON - which we're told now looks like being a three book series - is a story of Love and Loss, Fear and Freedom, a toy rabbit... and very big robots.

Ali
is 15. Nothing works. School doesn't work, home doesn't work and
everyone she loves is no longer there. Then she discovers an access to a
place where all the answers can be found.

Horizon. A place of dreams,
metaphor, discovery....and freedom.

Dreams are something that we all have. They are an essential part of being human. In HORIZON, writer/artist Andrew Wildman
weaves a narrative that draws from not only his long career as a comic
book artist - which includes work on Transformers and his own co-created project, Frontier, with Jason Cobley - but also from his experience of Gestalt dream interpretation
and his training in personal development coaching.

"The metaphor and
symbolism in dreams tell us more about ourselves than any other
conversation," he says. "We already know who we are but our access to this insight
is lost as we have forgotten how to understand our own internal
dialogue.

"HORIZON is a story of Ali, a young girl who's
understanding of herself is transformed through her dreams and how she
learns to interpret them."

• To hear more about seminars and
workshops based on the narrative structure of HORIZON and its inherent
dream interpretation technology go here

Print services folk UK Comics Creative has announced the completion and launch of
UK On Display, their new catalogue available to purchase from www.ukondisplay.com.

Featuring the publications of many British comics creators, the Catalogue will be making its way into Comic Book Shops, Book
Shops and other outlets over the course of the next few weeks.

"We will be
compiling issue 3 in January, says Stuart Gould, who is busily working on the site to add online ordering and much more. "Our initial intention is to print four catalogues per annum with a new magazine popping up in between.

"We will
actively market all titles throughout each month and issue a monthly
update to include new titles as they publish. We will also be launching
many other features including Art Prints, Hardcover Art Books, Event
Management and comic books in schools."

Wednesday, 19 December 2012

The award was presented to the comic book and graphic novel publisher during a carbon-neutral ceremony at the House of Commons in London.

"Global deforestation by paper production continues to have a major negative impact on the eco-system," notes the publisher. "Therefore Eco Comics takes advantage of the emerging digital technologies to produce exclusively in the new frontier of the paperless format.

"The publishing industry, and readers, must realise that wildlife, such as tigers and gorillas, are likely to pay the ultimate price of deforestation: extinction," they argue. "Even sustainable forestry is not a magic cure-all, shown by the criticism received from leading environmental organisations.

"Our titles are designed to the same physical format as leading print titles, but are kept paperless. The digital platforms also allow the reader an even greater interactive experience. There is no excuse for deforestation due to comic book production."

In a continuing bid to raise awareness through various initiatives, the publisher recently brought the legendary Green Man to comic books, with the character also becoming its official mascot.

Eco Comics competed against more than 500 other nominations at the awards ceremony.

"That our achievements have already been recognised by the prestigious Green Apple Awards has given us added faith that we are trailblazing the future direction of this industry, and it will help show that paperless is best for both readers and the ecosystem."

Self Publisher! Magazine #60 is available now free as a PDF download and
introduces "a whole new look" to the magazine, offering lots of articles
and features any indy creator or fan of such would enjoy, its editorial team
at Dimestore Productions enthuse.

While this is a US magazine, based in Madison, it's of interest here for its interviews with British comics creators Jim "Ganjaman"
Stewart and Wallace & Gromit artist Mychailo Kazybrid, talking about their careers in comic and self publishing.

There's also an ace strip by fab US artist Michael
Neno, a guide to adding pictures to a SmashWords project, a look at
Print on Demand, indie comic reviews and lots more.

Self Publisher! Magazine is the work of the Self Publisher Association, currently a "not for profit" group, their main goal in the
coming months to officially become a Non-Profit organization, so thatthey may better serve the world with their efforts to bring forth better
tools for all creators to use to make it more likely that they can
survive in today's changing markets.

"We are seeking to forge the
foundation of a permanent Self Publisher Hall of Fame," they say, "and do everything we can to bring recognition to the do-it-yourself
level of publishing. We hope you will take the time to learn about us,
and then join in our efforts."

The
editorial team on the magazine are doing everything they can to increase readership, so they
can do more good for the self publishing comic creator community.

"We'd greatly appreciate anything
you can do to help this issue go viral and reach our 1,000 download
goal!", says publisher Ian Shires.

The print edition of Strip Magazine #7 is on sale from today in UK comic shops, a Christmas Special that takes a slightly different form to the usual magazine.

It will also mark the final issue of the comic shop only issues, as publisher Print Media retrenches behind the scenes in an effort to get the project ready for its long planned but frustratingly delayed newstand launch next year.

This latest issue includes a new episode of Phil Hester and John McCrea's regular series Warpaint, but the rest of the anthology comic magazineis devoted to a variety of one off stories, including Citadel – a story created by the late, great French creator Moebius, previously published in Heavy Metal back in 1980.

There's also some previews of several all-new stories including Thracius by James Hudnall and Mark Vigouroux; Denizens (left, by Miko Horvatic and Maxim Simic); Dan Barton of Space Command (by myself, drawn by Andrew Chiu), an affectionate comedy homage to space heroes, and the strip that in a small way began the discussion to produce the magazine back in 2010; and Corwin Blays, a festive tale starring a hapless thief.

Feature-wise, there's not so many of these this issue, although David Lloyd's digital project, Aces Weekly gets a two page spot with editor Bambos Georgiou talking about how the project came about and plans for the future.

You can also buy STRIP Magazine #7 for iPad on iTunes (IOS6 only at present, update for older iPads submitted): https://itunes.apple.com/app/strip-magazine-1/id582768929. I did the walkthrough above of the app (created by Rok Comics) for Print Media boss Ivo Milicevic, to give him an idea of what we'd added to augment the print magazine, which he gave me permission to republish.

As it was done at home, there was a point it looked like recording might get interrupted by an excitable feline, but it didn't happen!

The previous digital issues of STRIP - for iPad only at present - are also available for just £1.99 each.

Tuesday, 18 December 2012

Looking for a British comics-related Christmas present? downthetubes is
pleased to offer an exclusive discount on a subscription to DC Thomson's
Commando comic, entitling readers to save 50% by ordering using our special
discount code!

When prompted, enter this unique
code COMDT - then make your payment and your subscription will be up and
running.

The price quoted offers a 50% discount
for three months at £12.50. That’s £68.50 off the shop price.

Please note, although the offer is not restricted to UK delivery
(you need a UK bank account), the price increases for overseas delivery
although the offer of 50% discount for three months is the same.

*Saving based on discounted Direct Debit price compared with shop price.
First quarterly payment discounted by 50% at £12.50 and £25 per quarter
thereafter. UK bank accounts only. One year discounted subscription rate
of £99.

Monday, 17 December 2012

Writer, editor and comics event organizer Richmond Clements reports on his visit to Malta as a guest of the island's increasingly popular annual comic convention. British guests this year included Dave Gibbons, Sean Azzopardi, Tim Perkins, Dez Skinn and other creators from around the globe...

I was lucky enough to be a guest at the Malta Comic Con this year.

So, while this is a kind of review/overview of the event, I will freely admit that a lot of what I say may be swayed by my position as a guest.

First off: Malta itself. It is gorgeous. A truly stunning place with thousands of years of history oozing out of every corner, and inhabited by some of the most warm and friendly people I have ever encountered. The weather was, for the most part, great. (Well, I thought it was great. The locals seemed to consider temperatures in the mid-teens to be signalling the next Ice-Age, but it was t-shirt and shorts weather for me!)

The venue, St James Cavalier in Valletta, is one that any other convention on the planet would struggle to match. Certainly, it’s the only convention that I am aware of that is held in a 700 year old fort! Tables are spread throughout the venue on multiple floors. This did make for an initial bit of confusion when finding your way about, but after a lap or two, things were a lot clearer.

And there were an impressive array of books for sale. They ranged from the usual dealers selling graphic novels and action figures, to some incredible local talents.

One of these books is Pilot. The publishers and creators, all local Maltese folks, had just published the second edition in time from this convention. It is an astounding book, both in the production value and content. It is something all involved should be very proud of. In my opinion, it’s matching in quality anything I have seen for a UK publisher. Seek this book out and order yourself a copy if at all possible.

As usual, the event was held over the weekend, and even though there were a few last-minute cancellations, most of the guests managed it, and from what I heard, all of them enjoyed themselves.

The venue and general size of the event help lend it a wonderful, friendly atmosphere. The kind of atmosphere that Hi-Ex!, which I co-organize in Inverness has, in fact. There were a lot of families and children there, and all were enjoying themselves.

It is always pleasing to talk to people who don’t read comics, but thought they’d turn up and have a look, and then they end up buying some stuff. This, to me, is what these events are all about: introducing comics to a new generation and showing them the possibilities and scope of the medium.

So, on our final night in Malta, we had a wonderful meal with all the remaining guests and organisers. I was forced to eat octopus. (Not like in Oldboy, though).

After the meal, there were, of course, a few speeches.

During one of these, organiser Chris Le Galle said that one of their ambitions is to try to create a comic community in Malta.

Well, Chris, from what I seen over the weekend, you can stop trying. You have already done it. There is a vibrant and exciting comics community in Malta, and these guys are to be thanks for it.

What they need now is support to help make it grow. So, buy their comics and visit their convention! And don’t think it’s out of your price range either. It cost me less to go to Malta than to the Bristol Convention, after all...

• The Pilot Comic Anthology Richmond mentions above is a collection of short comics, each drawn and written by a different artist or author. Every volume of Pilot features a new theme, the first one being Steampunk and the second and latest book being Medieval. The book places a strong emphasis on variation of comic styles and stories that can be enjoyed by a wide variety of audience.If you're interested in purchasing Pilot, drop an email to info@maltacomic-con.com

Sunday, 16 December 2012

In the third of a trilogy of shows about depictions of lives on the comic book page, Alex Fitch talks to the authors of two of 2012's most acclaimed graphic novels. Glyn Dillon discusses The Nao of Brown, his long awaited return to comics after much loved contributions to strips published by Deadline and Vertigo in the 1990s. Dillon's graphic novel depicts the life of an OCD sufferer who channels her creativity into toys, relationships and storytelling...Alex also talks to Joff Winterhart, writer / artist of Days of the Bagnold Summer, an affectionate, warts and all depiction of six weeks in the life of a dissolutioned 15 year old and his long suffering mother as they try to endure the summer holidays together. Joff discusses the history of the book, how it relates to his animation work and music, and his feelings about the book's nomination as one of the first two graphic novels to be short listed for the Costa Awards.

(Panel Borders will return in January with a month of shows looking at the 25th anniversary of John Constantine: Hellblazer)

(with thanks to Reuben Wilmott) A radio adaptation of Peter O'Donnell's Modesty Blaise story A Taste for Death novel airs on BBC Radio 4 this week.

Starring Daphne Alexander - who was given a Modesty makeover for the serial's PR shots, above - the drama airs Monday to Friday in the 10:45/7:45 drama slot (see http://t.co/c1usOOcV), with an omnibus on Radio 4 Extra on Saturday (http://t.co/zabH4unn)

Modesty first started life in 1963 as a strip cartoon in the London Evening Standard - the first of the novels followed three years later.

Glamorous, intelligent, rich and very, very cool, Modesty Blaise has been called the female James Bond but she's much more interesting than that. With her expertise in martial arts and unusual weapons, the ability to speak several languages and her liking for fast cars, twenty-something Modesty became a female icon long before the likes of Emma Peel, Lara Croft, or Buffy.

In Stef Penney's brand new radio adaptation of Peter O'Donnell's novel, Sir Gerald Tarrant, Head of a secret British agency, tempts Modesty out of retirement and into a job involving a young woman with extra sensory powers, an exotic desert location, and a larger than life public school villain, intent on murdering his way to a vast fortune.

With its perfect cocktail of glamorous settings, hidden treasure, a twisting turning plot, and characters to root for, the BBC describe A Taste for Death as "an action packed treat - and a guilty pleasure".

"If one person stumbles across this adaptation and goes out to buy one of the books for the first time, I will be happy," says Stef Penney, whose previous adaptations include Moby Dick and her own novel, A Tenderness of Wolves. "If a few people do, I will be ecstatic."

Revealing she chose A Taste for Death, which is not the first Modesty novel, because it is both her favourite and she might not get another chance, Stef is full of praise for both O'Donnell's character and setting."James Bond is more popular than ever, and the films have changed with the times – different actors play the roles, wear different suits, drive different cars and deploy the latest technology," she notes in a feature for the BBC web site.

"By contrast, A Taste for Death is firmly set in the 1960s and that is very much part of the pleasure – Modesty wears the fashions of the time and uses shortwave radio. She drives a classic car (a 1950s Jensen Interceptor) and listens to Thelonius Monk.

"And, in any case, when the chips are down and you are held captive by sadistic criminals on a remote archaeological site in the Sahara, no technology is going to find the buried treasure or overcome the villains who have stripped you of all your gear.

"Only Modesty and Willie’s unique ingenuity and will power can do that. And only their sense of humour and irreverence can make the whole thing so much fun.

With an original score by Goldfrapp's Will Gregory, arranged by Ian Gardiner, and performed by the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, conducted by Ben Foster, produced and directed by Kate McAll, this definitely looks like a show to tune into.

"Have you ever wondered what happens to the things - or the people - you forget?

There
is a place where these things end up, a place just beyond what we can
normally see and hear... or remember. There are dark forces at work at
the edge of remembering.

This is where The Amnesia Agents come in..."

The first issue of writer Jason Cobley's new A4, 52 page, small press anthology title Amnesia Agents is now available."It's
been great fun putting this together, my first foray back into small
press for some years, "says Jason. "One of the things I wanted to ensure was that this
could still be an all-ages comic. I've never been a big fan of gore and
swearing for the sake of it in comics, so although this features our
friend Hugo the zombie and some scary themes, it doesn't get that 'for
mature readers only' tag. I'd like to say a public thank you to all
those talented people who contributed artwork and/or scripts to this
project at relatively short notice."Indeed the line-up of creators in the first issue reads like a who's-who of British small press -Opening page by Jason Cobley & Andy BloorThe Selkie Wedding by Jason Cobley & Chris Askham (letters by Jim Campbell)Funny Humpty Dumpty by Dave BulmerNever Sleep Again by Gary CrutchleyRunaway by Vicky StonebridgeBreakfast by Jason CobleyLeo by Andy Winter & Barry RenshawThe Screaming Lighthouse by Jason Cobley & Fred O’RourkePub by Jason Cobley & Grant Perkins (pencils) and Mike Bunt (inks & letters)Bits by Jason Cobley
Closing pages by Jason Cobley & Barry Renshaw

The issue also includes comic strip previews of two of Jason's forthcoming books -The Signal-Man adapted by Jason Cobley & artwork by David Hitchcock The Legend of Tom Hickathrift by Jason Cobley & Paul Harrison-Davies

There are more details of Amnesia Agents, and the rest of Jason Cobley's work, on his Writing Coblers blog.

The site downthetubes.net, which began publishing in 1999, is edited by John Freeman whose credits include editor of Doctor Who Magazine, Star Trek Magazine, Star Wars Magazine, and Marvel UK titles such as Overkill, Death's Head II, Warheads and others. He's currently editor of the upcoming Strip Magazine for Print Media Productions.

About the Writers:

• Matthew Badham has written features for Judge Dredd: The Megazine, the Forbidden Planet International blog and more

• Jeremy Briggs contributes news, reviews, interviews and historical articles on British comics. He is a guest writer on Steve Holland's UK comics history blog, Bear Alley, and has written for Comics International, TV Zone, Spaceship Away and Omnivistascope.

• David Hailwood has written comic strips for various publications, including TOXIC, Accent UK, Bulletproof and Futurequake. He also writes comedy material for TV, and regularly contributes to the Temple APA (a showcase for UK comic writers and artists).

• Andy Luke is a writer who draws: he's s created the eponymous Andy Luke's Comic Book, Gran, Absence: a comic about epilepsy, Hold the Phones, It's Alex Jones, and graphic novel, The Watch Thief. He's written about comics too, mainly for Bugpowder.com, and has been involved with the Caption comics festival in Oxford. He currently lives in Belfast with a large box of pasta and a 7ft tall cigarette, and can be found online at http://andy-luke.com and http://awriterwhodraws.com

• Ian Wheeler is a freelance writer who also edited the highly-acclaimed British comics fanzine Eagle Flies Again.